No one can guarantee that the entire tat will be removed, Rand says, but many are completely erased or 90 to 95 percent gone by the end.

In each session, a derm will use a laser to break down the ink with beams of light. The amount of pain you feel will depend on your skin sensitivity and the type of laser they use, but Rand says you should only feel something that's similar to a rubber band snapping against your skin. If you still feel uncomfortable—itchy, swollen, or sore—after an appointment, an ice pack should relieve the pain.

Rand says blistering happens occasionally, although red ink is the most susceptible to it. Most of the time, though, your tattoo just looks whiter right after a session, but the color change is temporary.

Want to remove your tat? Rand recommends taking a pass on medical spas and looking for a dermatologist in your area who specializes in tattoo removal or at least does it more than once a month.